Just before the election results are out, the Samajwadi Party has alleged that some EVMs are being allegedly made to disappear by rigging in Varanasi. A video has gone viral by party workers, in which EVMs are seen stealing. The party accused the Uttar Pradesh government of “theft” of EVMs and said a truck laden with electronic voting machines has been caught in Varanasi. Said that EVMs were kept in the open in three trucks.
Sharing this video, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted and said that the news of EVM being caught in Varanasi is giving a message to every assembly of UP to be alert. All the candidates and supporters of SP-alliance should be ready with their cameras to thwart the attempt of rigging in the counting of votes. Be soldiers in counting votes to protect youth democracy and future!”
He said that just two days before the counting of votes, electronic voting machines were being stolen from a counting center in Varanasi. However, brushing aside the allegations of the Samajwadi Party, Varanasi District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma told the media that the EVMs were not used for voting and were being used only for “hands-on training”.
He called the video a rumor of some political parties. It said all EVMs used in the elections “have been sealed in the strong rooms occupied by the CRPF and are under CCTV surveillance which is being watched by people from all political parties.” He said the EVMs were on their way from the storage area of Mandi counting center to a local college.
The SP chief alleged that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were being taken to Banaras without taking cognizance of the candidates and a truck was caught and two trucks ran away. He raised the question that if the government was not stealing votes, then at least tell why one vehicle was caught, then two vehicles ran away, why did the administration not arrange for security.
He said, “EVMs are kept anywhere but I know that without informing the candidate you cannot take them.” Polls have come, they want to create an impression that BJP is winning, so that even if they steal, they also do not know.